Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Provides Free Hip and Knee Replacements

Saturday, December 7, 2013 as Part of Operation Walk USA

Alexandria, VA (December 9, 2013):   On December 7th, orthopedic surgeon(s) at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital provided free hip and/or knee replacements to 10 patients from the metropolitan Washington DC area, as part of Operation Walk USA.

Currently in its third year, Operation Walk USA, an independent medical charitable organization, provides all aspects of knee and hip replacement treatment– surgery, hospitalization, and pre-and post-operative care – at no cost to patients who may not qualify for government assistance, have insurance or afford surgery on their own.

While more than one million hip and knee replacements are performed in the U.S. each year, countless men and women continue to live with severe arthritic pain and immobility because they cannot afford joint replacement surgery.

“Inova Mount Vernon Hospital staff and physicians have supported Operation Walk USA since its inception in 2011.  This is a wonderful cause and I’m extremely proud of the physicians and staff who volunteer to participate in this program. Participation in Operation Walk USA is a perfect example of how we at Inova live our mission, of caring for and about people,” said Don Brideau, MD, Interim CEO, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital.

Operation Walk USA is a volunteer effort on behalf of more than 120 volunteer orthopedic surgeons and 70 participating hospitals in 32 states. With the start of the holiday month, this was also a timely way for orthopedic surgeons to give back to patients and help improve their quality of life and mobility.

An estimated 120 orthopedic surgeons will treat more than 230 patients, and that is twice the number of patients and orthopedic surgeons in Operation Walk USA in 2011, the first year of the program.

Arthritic disease is the most common cause of disability in the U.S., affecting approximately 48 million Americans, or more than 21 percent of the adult population. The debilitating pain of end-stage hip or knee degenerative disease often makes working, or completing even the simplest of daily tasks, excruciatingly painful or impossible. Hip and knee replacement surgeries are the most cost-effective and successful of all orthopedic procedures, eliminating pain and allowing patients to resume active, productive lives.

Media Contact: Rita Wakefield, 703-664-7109

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